Meet The Neighborhood Cat ..... Socks

Meet Socks, truly the neighborhood cat. This little gal showed up in our backyard over the summer. It took us quite some time to figure out who she belonged to but in the meantime there were many of us (primarily my next door neighbor and myself who took to looking after her.

This morning, as I let Levi out to do his morning sniffing, we found Socks in the planter. This seems to be her choice of residency when she is left out all night long and needs a place to hunker down. I am not necessarily happy that she picked my planter, but what is the gal to do when her humans leave her out all night?



Immediately, Levi's sense of curiosity kicks in and he slowly approaches the cat. As many times as I have told Levi to leave her alone he always has to go and "check her out". And as we have found out,(as Levi has been swatted on the nose)she has some very sharp claws; so we tend to be very careful when we approach her. Don't we Levi?



This morning Levi caught her off guard and she was startled at first; but once she realized it was just Levi, and that he isn't much of a threat, she settled back down into her warm spot.



Socks is a beautiful cat and although you can't see her feet, you can probably guess how she got her name; all four of her paws are white. Occasionally, Steve slips up and calls her "Boots" and the neighbor renamed her "Jesse", since she seems to respond and like that name better, as the story is told.

Socks is pretty much welcomed around for the most part, but I do get a bit disturbed when she swats at my dog and tries to eat my birds.

One morning I came around the corner just in time to see her catch a bird. I grabbed Levi and tucked him under my arm and down the stairs we flew. I screamed, "let go of that bird, you are not eating him on my watch". All I could see was a spread of feathers coming out of her mouth. I sicked Levi on her and she dropped that bird and ran. Thankfully, the bird was still alive and Levi thought it was all a game.

Unfortunately, Levi and I can not guard the birds 24/7 and we have found the remains of one or two since she's been around. I can say on Socks behalf, that she is super quick and I suppose if you had to fend for yourself most of the time, you would have to learn to survive.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this story about our exceptionally friendly neighborhood cat...Socks.

God's Canvas

Truly the sky is God's canvas. I never get bored with the beautiful sunrises, the colorful sunsets, the marine layers that infiltrate our evenings throughout the year, the double rainbows and the sound of the waves crashing onto shore. God has given us such a beautiful place to live. Thank you Lord.

Steve and his Dad

I can't believe I let this picture slip by. This picture of Steve and his Dad was snapped Memorial Day Weekend at church. I don't get to see Steve in his uniform much anymore since he retired in 2003. It is only on special holidays throughout the year that he will shave his face and appear in uniform. Thank you honey and thank you dad for serving our God and our Country and its citizens Love you guys!

Backyard Visitor

The other afternoon Steve and I caught sight of a Stellar Blue Jay in our backyard. He would take turns gathering seed on the back deck to flying over to the bird bath to get a drink. The last time we saw a blue jay in our yard was this time five years ago. I hear they can be a mean bird, but he sure is pretty.